Stella Zubakova chose a degree programme that feels truly international in both its people and its curriculum. “I chose International Business Management at IMC Krems because of its international environment and the curriculum of the programme,” she says.
From the start, the experience was shaped by strong connections: she met inspiring classmates and built friendships that have become an important part of her student life.
Already in her second semester, Stella was able to gain international insights through Erasmus+. She joined two short-term learning trips to Oldenburg, Germany, and Gdańsk, Poland. These experiences helped her explore new academic perspectives, connect with students abroad and grow more confident in international settings.
In the last two semesters, Stella studied abroad at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland, as part of the dual degree programme. Initially, the opportunity to earn two bachelor degrees was her main motivation. But Finland quickly became much more than a study destination. The longer she stayed, the more she fell in love with the country’s nature, culture and the time she spent there.
During this period, she actively explored Finland’s startup ecosystem by volunteering at Slush 2024 and START Helsinki. She also travelled widely and visited Lapland as well as Sweden, Norway and Estonia. One moment stands out in particular: seeing the Northern Lights at the age of 21 – an experience she never imagined would happen so early in her life.
Currently in her fifth semester, Stella is completing her internship at BMW in Steyr. Working in the field of indirect purchasing, she supports important processes from preparing documents for meetings to directly interacting with suppliers and partially leading negotiation meetings. The internship has shown her what professional purchasing looks like in practice and how much growth is possible when working alongside experienced specialists. Even with a busy schedule, Stella has found space for personal goals too – she finally learned line dance during her internship period.
Although she is grateful for her internship experience, Stella says she misses Krems: the calm atmosphere, the city’s unique vibe and especially the strong student community. As a member of the ÖH IMC Krems, she is used to interacting with students almost every day – something she looks forward to returning to soon. In about 1.5 months, she will be back in Krems to finish her studies.
Her recommendation is clear: if you are thinking about studying abroad, do it.
For Stella, studying at IMC Krems in Austria and experiencing another country through a dual degree and Erasmus+ opportunities has been a dream since the beginning of her studies. She describes it as an unforgettable experience that continues to shape her personally and professionally.
International Business Management
